Cricket: Ali Evans shines in Scotland warm-up win

GARY HEATLY

Carlton bowler Ali Evans took two wickets as Scotland defeated Namibia in a warm-up match for the ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers.

Evans was in fine form at Raeburn Place, opening the bowling and taking 2-20 from his four overs to get Scotland’s day off to a cracking start.

His two scalps were Raymond van Schoor and JP Kotze, while Heriot’s teenage spinner Mark Watt took a wicket in his first over, clean bowling dangerman Stephen Baard for 32 on his way to figures of 1-13.

Gavin Main and Michael Leask both took two wickets, while Safyaan Sharif took one and Scotland fielded very well as Namibia were restricted to 127-8 batting first.

In Scotland’s reply, Mazars Grange’s George Munsey opened the innings and got off the mark with a four, but he was out soon after without adding to his score.

When Craig Wallace went for 15 Scotland had slipped to 31-2 in their chase and then when Leask went they were 37-3, but Kyle Coetzer and Richie Berrington steadied things.

Coetzer made 28, while Berrington hit a match-winning 61 not out from just 35 balls – including four big sixes – and skipper Preston Mommsen, the Carlton man, was with him at the end on 15 not out.

The six-wicket victory was impressive and Scotland were due to be taking on Jersey in another warm-up match at Goldenacre this morning.